England batsman Ian Bell says his side hit rock bottom in their
embarrassing nine-wicket loss to Australia in the latest one-day
international in Adelaide.
They were routed Friday for just 110 by Australia in 34.3 overs and
Bell, who top-scored with 35, said the loss was even more disappointing
than their Ashes failures earlier in the tour.
Bell said the defeat was his lowest point as an England player.
"Probably for me it is (the lowest point). Yesterday wasn't the
highlight of my career playing for England so far," he said in Adelaide
on Saturday. "When we get to Perth we'll sit down and talk. I don't
think straight after the game was really the time to do that and today
we've got to reflect on it and make sure it doesn't happen again," he
added.
As calls from England for coach Duncan Fletcher's sacking mount with
each embarrassing loss, Bell said every tourist was culpable.
"We're still one unit. We're right behind everyone and this has been a
difficult tour for everyone," he said. "As individuals, we can't start
making excuses. I think all of us have to take the blame for this."
Bell said England still had plenty to play for and still hoped they
could be competitive in the World Cup, just six weeks away.
He conceded confidence was down, but dismissed suggestions the English
were a shattered and fractured unit.
England's next match is against New Zealand on Tuesday, with captain
Michael Vaughan again likely to be missing with a hamstring strain.
Andrew Flintoff will get another chance to notch his first win as
skipper on the tour, with England needing a victory to keep their hopes
of reaching the tri-series finals alive.
In a rare piece of good news for the English, seamer James Anderson has
been cleared of any serious injury after suffering from back soreness
and could play on Tuesday, while fellow opening bowler Jon Lewis might
also return from injury.
Australian spinner Brad Hogg said those looking for reasons for
England's abysmal form should look no further than the form of their
opponents.
Hogg said the Australians were in dynamic form and looking to dominate
the English in every match.
"We are really preparing for the World Cup and we want to win this
tournament as well on our home soil, but every match we want to improve
and make sure we are spot on for the World Cup."
Hogg said confidence in the Australia camp was sky-high.
"I just think that we are playing really good cricket and all the boys
are playing well and backing each other and we've got a great team
environment," he said. "It's reminding me of 2003 and I just don't
think our camp could be any better."